First published 1975
Demetrios commands respect and fear in equal measure. In a world rebuilt from nuclear ruins, where society has returned to medieval ways, this storyteller captivates audiences with tales of the Old Time. He speaks of miraculous inventions like telephones, jet planes, television, and automobiles that once filled the ancient world. But his knowledge makes him dangerous to those in power. When the authorities move against him, Demetrios must run. Six loyal companions join his escape, and together they begin a perilous journey across this transformed landscape. Their path leads through realms where fantasy bleeds into reality, where philosophical questions demand answers, and where human nature reveals both its cruelest and most beautiful faces. As they travel deeper into unknown territories, Demetrios and his followers discover that survival requires more than just evading their pursuers. They must navigate the complex emotions and relationships that bind them together while confronting the larger question of whether preserving the truth about humanity's past is worth the price they pay.
Genres: dystopia, adventure, fantasy, alternate-history
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, philosophical-questions
Setting: Old Time
Period: Nuclear Ruins, Medieval
174 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Pyramid Books